The much anticipated film Oliver Stone’s Snowden is built to thrill! Edward Snowden is central character in a captivating film that captures the mind. Snowden made global news for his actions.
Edward Snowden is an American and naturalized Russian former computer intelligence consultant and whistleblower. In 2013, while working as an employee and subcontractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), Snowden leaked highly classified information about government surveillance programs. Some view him as a hero and whistleblower, while others see him as a grandiose narcissist and criminal. Snowden’s decision to leak the documents developed gradually, and he believed that exposing the abuses of government intelligence agencies was necessary. He is currently in exile in Russia and has been awarded the Right Livelihood Award. Snowden’s actions sparked a global conversation about privacy, surveillance, and government transparency.
Snowden screened at San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2016, before premiering at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016. The film was theatrically released in the United States on September 16, 2016, by Open Road Films and on September 22 in Germany.[6] It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Gordon-Levitt’s performance but criticized the direction. It was also a box office bomb, grossing $37.3 million worldwide against its $40 million budget.[2]
More Americans are smoking weed than ever, or at least they’re being more honest about it. Thirteen percent of U.S. citizens currently smoke marijuana, according to a new Gallup poll. That figure has nearly doubled since 2013, when just seven percent admitted to regularly toking up.
Why the dramatic increase? Part of it certainly has to do with the increased legalization–and subsequent mainstream acceptance–of the drug. In 2013, just two states, Colorado and Washington, had legalized recreational marijuana; four states, plus the District of Columbia, allow it today. As Gallup notes, all four states—the new additions are Alaska and Oregon—are in the western part of the U.S., where poll participants were “significantly more likely” to admit regular cannabis use. It’s seems like a safe bet that the number of admitted users will continue to rise in the months to come, with five more states set to vote on recreational marijuana in November.
The demographic breakdowns are about what you’d expect, with younger, non-religious Americans leading the way. Nineteen percent of 18-29 year olds said they ingested some form of pot, 10 percent more than 30 to 49 year olds did and 12 percent more than 50 to 64 year olds did (just three percent of the 65 year old and older crew smokes, or fessed up to it at least).
Education level didn’t seem to matter much, with only a two percent difference between people with some college or a college degree (11 percent) and those with just a high school diploma (nine percent). Only six percent of nerds (postgrads) reported regular pot use .
For more on the current state of weed use in the U.S., read the full poll at Gallup.
Dale Jackson, who owns a heating and air conditioning company, attended this year’s Republican National Convention as a delegate from Georgia’s third congressional district, an area of conservative suburbs south of Atlanta. Jackson has three children and the middle-one, Colin, has low-functioning autism. Colin has responded well to cannabis oil with a specific ratio of CBD to THC. But Jackson’s support for access to medical marijuana puts him at odds with his party, which rejected supporting medical marijuana in its 2016 platform. Jackson and I spoke recently about what cannabis has done for his son, and about his experience at the GOP’s convention in Cleveland. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Meet the delegate pushing to make weed part of the GOP Platform.
The Fresh Toast: How has Colin responded to cannabis oil?
Dale Jackson: Before we started treating him, he wasn’t able to communicate in any way and now, he’s feeding himself with minimal assistance. I just get a scoop of oatmeal and leave the spoon in the bowl, and then he’s picking it up himself and putting it in his mouth. In the past, he would do that every once in awhile if I poked his elbow, got him started. This seems so trivial, but for us, it’s really not.
When we’re out eating, he wouldn’t ever be able to communicate to us if he’s hungry or if he’s thirsty. Now, I still have to feed him every meal, but if I slow down in scooping up whatever he’s eating, he’ll start poking the plate or poking me. Now, if he’s thirsty, he’ll poke his cup. That’s him communicating with us that, “Hey, I want another bite,” or, “Hey, I’m thirsty.” That has never happened before.
While he still can’t verbally speak, I feel that there has been a tremendous increase in the communication between us and him.
Let’s talk about the convention. What happened in the room?
I arrived Monday [July 18] and I met with some of my contacts and they felt the best approach would be to present it to the full platform committee. [With Eric Brakey, a State Senator from Maine] we presented the amendment before the full committee.
The ignorance that was on display from the platform committee– they had no idea what they were talking about — was extremely painful to listen to, especially because I wasn’t able to respond. One poor lady literally blamed all of the mass murders on kids smoking pot.
Here in Georgia, which is considered a very red state, we did numerous polls just in support of medical cannabis oil and in growing cannabis in the state of Georgia, and it was actually the most popular topic in the state.
When obviously, I believe, nearly every single one of those kids that committed those murders has been documented that they were on FDA-approved psychotic medication, and not pot.
There were probably ten different people that spoke out either for or against, and I would say three or four out of the ten responded positively. The six or seven that spoke out against it, obviously didn’t have a clue what we were talking about.
There was just a poll that found that for the first time, more Republicans support legalizing marijuana than don’t. And not just medical marijuana.
Here in Georgia, which is considered a very red state, we did numerous polls just in support of medical cannabis oil and in growing cannabis in the state of Georgia, and it was actually the most popular topic in the state. At the beginning of the legislative session, the largest newspaper did a poll on the top six or seven issues, and of all the issues, the general public supported our bill at an 82%, and that’s Democrats and Republicans.
This was the medical bill.
Right, the bill we were trying to pass was to make it legal to actually grow it in the state so that we can get oil legally. Right now, the law that we passed in 2015 just basically gives us a card where we can use it but we have no legal way to get it.
We’re not druggies, just looking for an excuse to use cannabis. The worst thing [for opponents], is for one of us to get arrested for helping our child. Put me in front of a jury, please.
That’s why so many, myself and so many other autistic parents now, we’re just openly treating our children with cannabis oil and bragging about it on social media, because we know that law enforcement doesn’t want to touch us. They’re not going to touch us.
Photo by Sara Monty courtesy of Dale Jackson
Because you’re parents, because you’re upstanding people?
Exactly. We’re not druggies, just looking for an excuse to use cannabis. The worst thing [for opponents], is for one of us to get arrested for helping our child. Put me in front of a jury, please. This issue will get resolved real quick.
As a longtime Republican activist, what do you see as needing to happen for the base to come around on this?
On medical cannabis oil, there’s nothing fancy that needs to be done. It’s strictly education. That’s it. I go and speak to group after group after group of Republicans and I specifically try to go and talk with any group I can with individuals over 60. Within ten minutes of just explaining the law and explaining what medical cannabis oil is, they are instantly converted and supportive.
But before that, before they hear, their concept of medical cannabis is me literally smoking a joint and blowing smoke in my child’s face. That’s where they’re coming from.
A 75-pound pet tortoise named Tank was reunited was his family recently after he wandered off from their Santa Clarita, Calif., home as a wildfire raged nearby.
Aaron Reyes, deputy director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), told ABC News that Tank was found “walking as quickly as he could away from the fires.”
Wendy Collins, the tortoise’s self-proclaimed “mommy,” told ABC News today her beloved “Tank,” whom she also calls “Pebbles,” was left behind early Saturday afternoon by her husband after the family was ordered by sheriff’s deputies to evacuate their home.
“Because of the tight time frame he was given, my husband was only able to take our two dogs, his bearded dragon and the essentials,” Collins said. “I had been trying to come home from work at the time but got stuck in traffic.”
After a friend reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, county animal care and control officers found the big-ass turtle on a street near the Collins’s home and took him to a local animal shelter, where he was a big hit.
“He was such a sweetheart and had a big personality,” Reyes told ABC. “He minded his manners, and though he was a very alert fella, he was not snappy at all. He was obviously a well-raised, perfect lil’ gentleman.”
All that walking and meeting new people apparently wore Tank out. “When he got home, the first thing he did was go straight to bed,” Collins said.
This fast little guy is a baby rhino named Warren. We don’t know much more about him, aside for the fact that he runs like the wind, responds to his own name, and is close friends with a couple of dogs. What more could you ask for from a rhino?
Have you pronked today? How about having a good stot?
The verb “pronk” comes from the Afrikaans verb “to show off,” and “stotting” derives from the Scots and Geordie verb meaning “walk with a bounce.” Alpacas and llamas do it, sheep sometimes try it, dogs and cats have varying degrees of hops in ’em. Pronking springboks — which sounds more like a CAPTCHA phrase than part of a real sentence — are the most impressive to watch.
As a combination of a skip and a super-high jump that screams “YOLO isn’t dead,” pronking might be the best option for your next exit from an awkward conversation, morning after escape, meeting that’s run too long, or bad date getaway. Here, we’ve collected eight all-star pronkers for you to learn from:
In this rare David Bowie footage uploaded by YouTuber Nacho Video, he sings “Cracked Actor” from the 1973 album Aladdin Sane, during the 1974 Diamond Dogs tour.
This is Peak Bowie: Clutching a skull, he swoops and sways with a red velvet jacket flung around his shoulders.
Channeling a prostitute-praising, aviators-wearing Hamlet, Bowie French kisses his Yorick. The song would eventually inspire the title of a 1975 BBC television documentary film on the Starman’s darkest days. And, like almost everything the late, insanely great performer did, it also inspired many generations to turn and face his genius.
Real shrubs are for your cocktail glass. And no, they are not the kind that take up room in your front yard. Shrubs are an almost unheard-of combination of both vinegar and preserved fruit and cane sugar syrup. During the late summer months, they are especially delicious because they are cost next to nothing to make and quite thirst slaking. They also mix really nicely with Cannabis in a cocktail made with rum.
The history of shrubs dates back hundreds of years. They were most frequently used into the mid-1800s. The people who enjoyed them were amongst the working class and mostly because of the utter lack of refrigeration. No electricity, meaning no refrigeration for food preservation means all bad things to the gut.
But everything isn’t gloom and doom. Enter this home-made, vinegar based- fruit syrup. Shrubs were an inexpensive, sweet refreshment that could be added to a multitude of alcoholic liquids. People found that drinking certain kinds of acidulated liquids like these preserved fruit shrubs helped ease their aching bellies from the consumption of ‘certainly compromised foods and drink’.
Drinking these easy to make and easier to enjoy- sweet and tangy beverages were found to give the imbiber quick energy, too. Were they the first energy drinks? Possibly…
Fast forward to today, mixologists have rediscovered the magic of utilizing fresh fruit and vegetable shrubs in their craft cocktails. And now aficionados are starting to toy with them at home because of their ease in production.
Shrubs can be simply made with only three easy-to-purchase ingredients: raw sugar, some kind of vinegar and just over-ripe fruit, plus a bit of fresh water. They have a salty, sea-like undertone after they ferment for a few weeks, but are also sweet and tart. The fruit gives a deeply welcome hit of sweet perfume, the cane sugar (essential) sweetens naturally, and the unmistakable tang of your favorite vinegar makes your lips pucker, and few things are more salutary for the gut than naturally fermented beverages. Shrubs really were the original energy and health drink. And now it looks like this tangy combination of flavors have received their second wind!
Note: These shrubs will remain fresh for 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator, unless until they start to dance the jig and sing in Gaelic, then make a new batch immediately!
Summer Raspberry Shrub
(Makes about 1.5 cups)
This very basic shrub makes all kinds of refreshing combinations. Although the raspberry shrub starts out vividly red, in the end result, after a couple of weeks fermenting; the shrub will have a pale coral hue. It’s delicious mixed with gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, Madeira, a smoky Scotch, Sherry, white wine, sparkling wine- and of course just plain water like they used to drink in the Colonial period!
Ingredients:
1 cup very ripe organic raspberries (they can be bruised and soft, but please, no mold)
1 cup raw cane sugar (Sugar in the Raw or like product)
1 cup raw cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s with the Mother Yeast intact)
Directions:
In a nonreactive bowl made of either ceramic or glass (or possibly stainless), add raspberries and pour sugar over the top.
Cover and let sit refrigerated for a few days, stirring and muddling often with a wooden spoon to combine. This mixture should expel lots of liquid, and this is good!
After a few days of gentle fermentation, add the apple cider vinegar. Let the vinegar combine with the sugar and raspberries for another week refrigerated. (Cellar temperature if you want to be absolutely authentic)
Arrange a fine-mesh strainer over a nonreactive bowl (one with a spout is handy). Pour the shrub mixture into the strainer and mash with a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Funnel the shrub into sterilized jars, this means submerged in boiling water for at least a minute and removed with sterilized rubber tipped tongs.
Cover and refrigerate (or cellar temp) for at least a week more, shaking well before using.
The assertive vinegar flavor will fade over time, leaving you a lightly thick- simple syrup that is tangy, sweet and very noteworthy!
Tip: A simple way to enjoy this raspberry shrub is with a glass of seltzer water and the addition of a few slivers of lemon zest. I also like to add it to gin!
Cannabis Infused Simple Syrup
(Use strain of your choice)
Ingredients:
2 cups raw cane sugar – like sugar in the raw
3 cups filtered water
2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin (this helps supercharge the cannabis)
3 or more grams finely chopped, ultra-high-grade cannabis
Directions:
The first thing you have to do is measure out equal parts of sugar and water then bring the water to a boil.
Drop the heat down, just a bit- you’ll know when you see the sugar turning to caramel that it’s too hot!
Add in your finely chopped cannabis and stir in until the sugar has been completely dissolved.
Cover the pot and bring it to a quick simmer (do not boil!) for about 30 minutes.
Cool for ½ hour, bring back up to a simmer. Stir in the vegetable glycerin. Strain.
Let cool again, and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Photo courtesy of Warren Bobrow
Fresh Toast Fizzy
(Serves 2)
Ingredients:
large handmade ice cubes
4 ounces independent producer rum- think no chill filtering or any added caramel for color (the real thing)
1 ounce Raspberry Shrub
1 ounce cannabis tincture infused simple syrup (using the strain and amount of your choice)
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
splash of fizzy water
Directions:
Fill a cocktail shaker three-quarters full with ice.
Pour in your rum, your handmade Shrub and the simple syrup (either cannabis infused or not) over the ice.
Cover, cap and shake hard for 15 seconds or until the shaker is really frosty.
Add a large ice cube to each of 2 coupe glasses. Strain cocktail into each of the glasses, dash the Angostura over the top of each glass (2 dashes each) and serve while icy with a splash of fizzy water of course!
Use the Thai spice principle. You can always add more spice- but you can never take it away!
NEVER more than one per hour…
Warren Bobrow, a.k.a. The Cocktail Whisperer, is the author of four books, including his latest: Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails and Tonics.
Ah, summer. The hot time to hit that hidden swimmin’ hole. And chase down fireflies. And take your day drinking outdoors. If your crappy apartment doesn’t come with a proper patio or communal rooftop space, fret not. The lap of luxury can be yours for the cost of an over-priced cocktail. Here are 10 bars as lofty as your seasonal drinking aspirations.
Gansevoort Park – NYC
Perched 20 stories above Manhattan, this tri-level rooftop at the Gansevoort Hotel serves up unobstructed views of the Empire State Building and other architectural wonders that only NYC can offer. This rooftop wonderland has three bars, inside-and-outside fireplaces (because sometimes you need both), wrap-around terraces and a pool.
mBar – Seattle
An integral part of the new South Lake Union scene, this rooftop oasis offers sweeping views of Lake Union and the Space Needle that can be enjoyed rain or shine, making it the perfect juxtaposition for Seattleites. Located atop a new food and retail hall known as 400 Fairview, mBar is both an inside restaurant and semi-covered rooftop bar, dotted with fire pits, a stocked bar, and tables for outdoor dining. Pro tip: don’t just drink. EAT THE FOOD! The kitchen is lead by Top Chef alum, Jason Stratton.
photo by Suzi Pratt
J.Parker – Chicago
Not only is the roof retractable at this Hotel Lincoln summit, it offers arguably the best views of Chicago — unobstructed views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.
Upstairs – Los Angeles
A nod to Hollywood glamour, this bar atop the Ace Hotel is speckled with chaise lounge chairs surrounding the big concrete pool. A place to escape the scene. Events take center stage every night of the week, including live bands, DJs and pop-up shops.
Rooftop Perch – Santa Barbara
Named after its 360-degree view, this Spanish-style bar on top of the Canary Hotel — just a few miles from the beach — is the perfect spot to catch the Santa Barbara sunset.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHzmmiqh5jB/
Jones – San Francisco
Located on a third floor sprawling terrace in the Tenderloin, this rooftop retreat provides happy hour, dinner and brunch. Pro tip: bring your dolla bills for the cash-only bars (there are 3). (photo cred: www.620-jones.com)
Departure – Portland
Portland’s take on an L.A. rooftop bar, this sleek lookout provides guest of The Nines hotel an aerial view of the city.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDmaVGRsDpv/
Juvia – Miami
This chic space occupying the penthouse level of 1111 Lincoln Road provides 10,000 square-feet of open air and indoor seating, not to mention one of the best views of Miami Beach.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPdMraAvIn/
Bell Tower Bar – Santa Fe
With clear views of the mountains and city, this cocktail bar on top of the La Fonda Hotel is known for its sunset views and margaritas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHJC_9GAohf/
POV Terrace Bar– D.C.
The P.O.V at the W in D.C. might sound like a game of Wheel of Fortune, but the big jackpot here is the breathtaking views of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and White House that await you at the top.
The summer of 2016 will likely be a memorable one for Carlos Yturria. It’ll be the first one he’ll spend in his own bar, The Treasury, which opened in San Francisco’s FiDi this past February. Yturria is no stranger to the San Fran bar scene. He spent years tending bar all over the city (A-16, Rye, Cantina, Absinthe, Range, just to name a few) before opening his own place. His inaugural summer drink has also been around the block once or twice. It’s called The Flash. And despite its name, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
“The Flash is a fresh, fun drink, with bright citrus and cooling cucumber,” says Yturria. “It’s fluorescent, fruity, and it goes down easy; summer in a glass!”
Yturria came up with the drink during a cocktail competition at Rye while he was managing the bar at Range. “I always kind of kept it on menus seasonally. Rye still brings it back every now and then.”
The Flash is currently the number one selling cocktail at The Treasury.
The Flash
1.5 oz Aviation gin
1 oz lemon juice
2 slices peeled kiwi (1/4”)
2 slices peeled cucumber (1/4”)
.75 oz simple syrup (1 to 1 ratio cane sugar to water)
In a mixing tin, muddle lemon juice, kiwi and cucumber together. Add remaining ingredients. Top with ice and shake well. Fine strain into a coupe, garnish with a thin slice of kiwi.
